Last Name De-amorim

The surname De Amorim is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from a geographical or occupational name for someone from the village of Amorim, located in several regions across Portugal. The name "Amorim" itself comes from the Old Portuguese "amorim," meaning "myrrh," a reference to the town's original name, which was believed to have been given due to the abundance of myrrh trees found there. Over time, the surname De Amorim has spread globally as a result of Portuguese migration and colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name De-amorim

The meaning and origin of the last name De-amorim

The surname De Amorim is of Portuguese origin, deriving from the medieval Occitan and Old French term 'd'Amour', which means 'of love'. It is a toponymic name, indicating that it was originally an occupational or geographical name for someone who lived in or near a place named with the word 'amor' (meaning 'love'), or possibly a nickname for a person known as affectionate or loving. In Portugal, the name Amorim is often used as a given name, leading to the formation of patronymic surnames such as De Amorim, which indicates son or descendant of Amorim. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have led to numerous regional adaptations of this name across Portugal and its diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name De-amorim

The surname De-Amorim is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it's most concentrated in the northern regions such as Minho, Douro, and Aveiro, which are historically associated with the migration of peoples from Galicia, Spain. In Brazil, it's especially common in the states of Pernambuco, Bahia, and São Paulo, reflecting the Portuguese colonization and settlement patterns. The name also appears in other Portuguese-speaking African countries like Angola and Mozambique, due to historical ties with Portugal. Outside of Portuguese-speaking regions, small communities bearing the surname De-Amorim can be found in various parts of the world, particularly in countries with significant Portuguese or Brazilian diaspora populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name De-amorim

The surname De Amorim has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variants include Da Amorim, De Amorim, and D'Amorim. In Portuguese, the apostrophe ('') is not typically used in writing surnames, but it can sometimes be added for stylistic reasons or to distinguish between similar names. Therefore, you may also find variations such as O'De Amorim and O'Da Amorim. These variations are rooted in the original name derived from the Portuguese words "de" meaning "of" and "Amorim," a common surname derived from the occupational name for a maker of cork, referring to the region of Amora in Portugal.

Famous people with the last name De-amorim

Notable individuals with the last name De Amorim include:

1. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (born Waldir Mariano da Silva Souza), a Brazilian politician, trade union leader, and former president of Brazil who was also known as Lula de Amorim, due to his stepfather's surname. He served as the President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.

2. Bernardo de Almeida de Amorim, a Portuguese colonial administrator and explorer who was governor of the colony of Angola in the late 17th century. His governorship marked an era of relative peace and prosperity for the colony.

3. Alexandre de Gusmão de Amorim, also known as Alexandre Herculano, a prominent Portuguese historian, literary critic, and journalist during the Restoration period in Portugal. He is considered one of the most important figures in 19th-century Portuguese literature.

4. Paulo Coelho de Souza, known professionally as Paulo Coelho, is a Brazilian author who uses De Amorim as his middle name. He is one of the bestselling authors in the world, with over 300 million books sold. His most famous work is "The Alchemist."

5. Joaquim António de Aguiar de Amorim, a Portuguese lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1879 to 1880 and again from 1886 to 1889 during the Restoration period in Portugal.

Genealogical research on the last name De-amorim

The surname De-Amorim originates from Portugal, specifically from the region of Minho. It is derived from the personal name "Amorim," which means "little love" or "beloved." The De- prefix is believed to have been added as a noble title in medieval times, indicating that the original bearer was a descendant of someone named Amorim.

During the Portuguese Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries, many members of this family migrated to Brazil, where they played significant roles in the colonization and development of the new land. Some notable De-Amorims include João de Barros, a historian who wrote the "Decadas da Asia," a chronicle of Portuguese explorations in Asia; and Manuel Inácio de Azevedo e Silva de Amorim, a Brazilian lawyer, politician, and member of the Imperial Council.

Today, the De-Amorim family is widely distributed across Portugal and Brazil, with smaller communities also found in other parts of the world due to migration over the centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "de-amorim"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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